Method and device for a pipe flow under pressure which is to be diverted or branched

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device with diversion or branching of a pipe flow under pressure with a height-adjustable built-in part and a swirl chamber which tapers from the region of the tangential inlet to the axial outlet of the flow, and is characterized in that, for simultaneous action with virtually any spiral movement distributed over the cross-section and for controlling the pressure distribution in the swirl flow and thus in the axial outlet opening, the built-in part (3) is inserted into the swirl chamber (5) adjustably in its eccentricity in relation to the swirl chamber axis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method in which a pipe flow under pressure isimparted a spiral movement and subsequently an axial pipe flow isobtained, the incoming flow being directed towards a height-adjustableflow guide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the invention is also a device with diversion orbranching of a pipe flow under pressure with a height-adjustablebuilt-in part and a swirl chamber which tapers from the region of thetangential inlet to the axial outlet of the flow.

Lastly, the subject of the invention is also the application of thedevice of the method to the incoming flow of inlets for circular tanks,sand classifiers, vortex separators, hydrocyclones or vortex cleaners,centrifugal force separators, hydrocyclone separators as well asdistributor structures for incoming water masses.

Such methods and devices are used in the case of both water and wastewater, or more specifically in water engineering in domestic supplies aswell as in laboratory and process technology.

Rotationally symmetrical spiral movements are advantageous in variousapplications and methods in hydraulics. Such tasks arise both in waterengineering and in domestic water supplies and in laboratory and processtechnology. In the waste water area, it is mostly a uniform loading ofvarious tanks which is desired, whereas in laboratory and processtechnology a stable spiral movement in pipe runs can be advantageous oreven only trigger a desired effect, such as e.g. a separating process.The disadvantage of previously used swirl chamber shapes (e.g. accordingto Adami, Drioli, Knapp, Thoma etc.) for such applications lies in arotational symmetry, which is marked to a greater or lesser extent, bythe rotary movement. The reason for this is found in the non-uniformpressure distribution over the swirl-chamber circumference and theinadequate pressure redistribution on the transition from the tangentialto the axial pipe. As a result, the vortex core, which is forming andconsists of air or liquid, is deflected to one side.

The tangential incoming flow of a conventional swirl chamber with a flatbottom and a cover has the consequence that a spiral vortex is formed inthe swirl chamber. The water layers adjacent to the bottom and the coverundergo, as a result of the wall friction, a braking of their speed ofrotation and consequently a reduction in their centrifugal force. Theytherefore head in steeper spirals for the center where they are caughtby the central layers and pulled away from the outlet opening again bythe suddenly increased centrifugal force. In this manner, centripetal,swirling flows arise in the vicinity of the bottom and the cover andcentrifugal, swirling flows in the center between bottom and cover. As aresult of the non-uniform pressure match in the region of the tangentialmouth, the force effects described above take place distributednon-uniformly over the cross-section, in other words eccentrically. Thiseccentricity then leads, depending on the throughput, to theasymmetrical rotary movement in the subsequently axial pipe.

It is not unappreciated that a method and a device for generating aspiral fluid flow are known per se (DE-OS 36 30 536). In this case,however, the aim is to superimpose a spiral movement on a straight pipeflow in order that the object remains rotationally symmetrical. Whetherthe means indicated therein are adequate to bring about rotationalsymmetry at all is questionable because the inflow is precisely notsymmetrical but tangential. The flow, which arrives for example frombelow according to this laid open specification, enters into a widening,in the broadest sense a "swirl chamber"; a small flow comes from theside as a pulse flow which influences the main flow via a smallrotationally symmetrical gap.

The device explained in DE-OS 36 30 536 can thus, as it is described andillustrated, not function. Moreover, a further asymmetrical part wouldbe necessary here for handling the asymmetrical flow. In a device suchas that known from DE-OS 36 30 536, the considerations begin, which haveled to the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is, by means of a simple construction withlow outlay, to bring about a rotationally symmetrical or any eccentric,spiral movement of a liquid in the axial pipe attached to a swirlchamber simply by pressure redistribution and flow diversionindependently of the throughput.

This aim is achieved according to the invention by a device withdiversion or branching of a pipe flow under pressure with a [sic]vertical position adjustable built-in part and a swirl chamber whichtapers from the region of the tangential inlet to the axial outlet ofthe flow, in that, for simultaneous action with virtually any spiralmovement distributed over the cross-section and for controlling thepressure distribution in the swirl flow and thus in the axial outletflow, the built-in part is inserted into the swirl chamber adjustably inits eccentricity in relation to the swirl chamber axis.

In terms of process technology, this aim is achieved according to theinvention in that, to achieve virtually any spiral movement distributedover the cross-section, the flow is diverted or branched, by theoutgoing flow, which leaves perpendicularly to the tangential incomingflow, being brought about from the latter by directing the flow, and inthat the flowthrough area for the swirl flow is tapered in the directionof the axial flow and, in the region where swirl is applied, the flow isguided around a flow guide and straightener which is adjustable withregard to the eccentricity in relation to the swirl chamber axis.

By means of the measures according to the invention, therefore, aspecial swirl chamber shape is produced, which makes possible a pressureredistribution to compensate the irregularities described above over aspiral plane.

Starting from the plane of one or more tangential inlets to thetransition into the axial outlet, the swirl chamber tapers conicallywhich has the consequence that the flowthrough area of the swirlchamber, which is initially great, becomes continuously smaller in theaxial direction to the outlet opening and thus a pressure compensationtakes place over the flow cross-section in the axial direction. Withregard to a directed forced flow, this pressure redistribution can bebrought about by the installation of the cylinder or cone, the axis ofsymmetry of the cone or cylinder being arranged eccentrically inrelation to the axis, prolonged into the swirl chamber, of the axialpipe.

Advantageously, the cone envelope is inclined more steeply than theswirl chamber edges. However, it must be at least just as greatlyinclined in order to avoid an increase in the flow cross-section. Forthis reason, the cone point or the cylinder should expediently end belowthe transition to the axial pipe in order to make space available forthe pressure redistribution up to the axial outlet.

According to the invention, the swirl chamber preferably comprises, forgenerating a rotationally symmetrical or virtually any eccentric, spiralmovement in liquids, in particular water:

a) a circular swirl chamber base, the diameter of which depends on thesize of the tangential inlet(s);

b) a conical swirl chamber attachment with a central outlet opening;

c) a conical or cylindrical, centrally arranged or eccentricallyadjustable built-in part which

d) forms, with the swirl chamber attachment mentioned under b), aflowthrough area which decreases continuously from the swirl chamberbase to the axial outlet.

The swirl chamber will normally be operated with the axial outletopening vertically upwards or downwards, Any inclined swirl chamber alsogenerates a rotationally symmetrical spiral movement in the liquid onleaving the swirl chamber as a result of the compensation according tothe invention.

An aerating and deaerating opening or a second outlet opening can bearranged in the center of the swirl chamber base. In this case, theconical or cylindrical built-in part does not extend to the swirlchamber base. The built-in part can of course also carry out theaeration or deaeration.

In some circumstances, the built-in part can surprisingly be forgonecompletely. In this case, pressure redistribution is to be ensured bycorresponding inclination of the conical shell surface of the swirlchamber attachment.

In some circumstances, a flat swirl chamber cover can be used instead ofthe conical swirl chamber attachment. In this case, however, thebuilt-in part to be arranged eccentrically is to be provided in any casein order to ensure the necessary pressure compensation in the swirlchamber.

The inlet cross-section can open in a tapered shape into the swirlchamber, as a result of which greater inlet speeds are achieved incomparison with an existing pipe cross-section. This also increases thespeed of rotation in the swirl chamber and in the following pipe.

For certain applications, a continuous connection between two outletopenings can also be created, by the cone or cylinder being drilledthrough centrally or correspondingly eccentrically.

After a pipe branch, a rotationally symmetrical rotary movement of theflowing medium can be achieved in both outgoing branches which lie on acommon axis. A conical built-in part is made in the form of a doublecone.

It is not unappreciated that spiral flows have a number of times alreadybeen generated by means of swirl chambers (e.g. German laid openspecifications 27 12 443 and 27 12 444); in these cases, however, therotational symmetry of the spiral flow in the following axial pipe wasnever to the fore. In German laid open specification 36 30 536, a stablespiral fluid flow is achieved by a split flow which initiates therotation and which is superimposed on the main flow. In contrast tothis, the present invention diverts a flow by 90° and at the same timethis flow is guided and redistributed in such a manner that a stable,rotationally symmetrical spiral movement arises.

The advantages achieved with the invention consist in particular inthat, by means of the continuous reduction of the cross-section, whichis flowed through axially, on the transition from the swirl chamber intothe axial pipe, a rotationally symmetrical rotary movement is impartedto the liquid without mechanical structures or other measures. The swirlchamber shape has the effect that, in contrast to previously known swirlchamber shapes, a continuous transition from the swirl chamber base tothe axial outlet is produced and a gradual pressure redistributionconsequently becomes possible in association with the adjustablebuilt-in part. In previously used and tested swirl chamber shapes forgenerating a rotation in a medium, the sudden transition from the swirlchamber to the axial pipe caused pressure potentials which led to anon-uniform action over the flow cross-section.

The measure according to the invention can be used particularlyadvantageously by means of the abovementioned method and theabovementioned device particularly as an incoming flow or upstreamincoming flow stage for

inlets for circular tanks

sand classifiers

vortex separators

cleaning arrangements such as hydrocyclones

vortex cleaners

centrifugal force separators

hydrocyclone separators

centrifugal separators

cyclone separators or separating chambers in general

(industrial cleaning)

A particular advantage of the invention can be used in the field ofwater management for distributor structures for incoming water masses.Such distributor structures receive the incoming water and distributethe quantity of water to various tanks uniformly.

Also known are GB 10 67 196 and U.S. Pat. No. 31 98 214. These describea throttling flow function but without any displaceable inner body or adisplaceable built-in part. There is in these, however, an adjustableelement, namely a flow body, with which the flowthrough cross-sectioncan be regulated. The greater the water flow, i.e. the greater thespeed, the greater the speed of rotation in the chamber also, whichcorrespondingly makes the resistance rise as a result of centrifugalforce, depending on the flow speed. The area of application consideredin this case--and hence the throttling--is a shock absorber which isintended to lead to proportional springing in the case of strong or weakimpacts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Evening out the outgoing flow is not envisaged, although verticaladjustment of the flow body is. An adjustment, for example horizontal,in the eccentricity of certain elements is not envisaged. On the otherhand, any throttling would be extremely unfavorable according to theinvention, since after all according to the invention as axial aspossible an outgoing flow is to be achieved, as great a rotationallysymmetrical evening out as possible is to take place, and the flow is toleave the axial pipe with a rotationally symmetrical swirl.

By way of example, embodiments of the invention are to be explained ingreater detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a view of the flow guide according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a plan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another embodiment of a built-in element;

FIGS. 4 and 6 are other embodiments, the incoming flow according to FIG.4 being horizontal, the outgoing flow vertically downwards, whereas thehorizontal incoming flow in FIG. 6 is guided vertically upwards;

FIG. 5 is a further shape in another arrangement;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show other embodiments of the idea forming the basis ofthe invention, and

FIG. 9 is an illustration similar to FIG. 2 with another design of theincoming flow pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

According to the embodiment in FIG. 1, a swirl chamber with a reductionin the flow cross-section is illustrated in section. The tangentialswirl chamber inlet 1 opens into the swirl chamber base 2 indicated inbroken lines and is guided around a built-in part 3 which is in verticalposition and eccentric in relation to the swirl chamber axis. Thebuilt-in part 3 is a cylindrical built-in element which is locatedsnugly on the swirl chamber base 2. The end side of the cylinder 3always lies under the axial opening 6.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the water Q flows tangentially into theswirl chamber 5, where it moves towards the axial outlet 6 spirally inthe flow cross-section between the built-in cylinder 3 and the conicalswirl chamber wall 4. As a result of the reduction of the availableflowing space in the flow direction in association with the eccentricityof the built-in part 3, the pressure is, with the advance of the flow,increasingly compensated over the respective cross-section byredistribution, to a given pressure-outlet-dependent region. This hasthe consequence that a rotationally symmetrical or any eccentric,spiral, rotary movement is formed in the axial outlet 6.

The most different of variations for swirl chamber shapes areillustrated in the various drawings.

Thus, FIG. 3 shows a swirl chamber, in which the necessary pressureredistribution is produced as a result of the flow between the conesurfaces and the shell of the swirl chamber. The cone is always moresteeply inclined than the swirl chamber wall 4 surrounding it.

According to an embodiment which is not illustrated, the necessarypressure redistribution is produced even without the support by means ofthe building-in of a cone.

According to an embodiment which is not illustrated, the necessarypressure redistribution is produced even without the conical swirlchamber attachment if the built-in part is arranged correspondinglyeccentrically in relation to the swirl chamber axis.

If the outlet from the swirl chamber is to take place, for exampleaccording to FIG. 7, from two openings, the built-in part 3 (here acone) can be fixed in such a manner that a certain distance frees thesecond opening 10. The rotationally symmetrical spiral movement of theflowing medium in the outlets is produced only on passing through thecross-sectional reduction of the swirl chamber 5, and not in the case ofthe opening 10 arranged on the swirl chamber base 2.

FIG. 4 shows an incoming flow in part from above and the outgoing flowgoes axially downwards. The built-in part is a cone 11 which has acontinuous bore 12. An aerating or deaerating possibility is thusafforded via the bore 12.

FIG. 5 shows a toroidal casing 7 of the swirl chamber, by means of whichthe pressure redistribution corresponding to the respective requirementsis brought about by suitable combination with a given shape of abuilt-in part 8 or an appropriate cone inclination.

For different requirements, it may be advantageous or absolutelyessential that--as illustrated in FIG. 6--a connection 12 exists for thebuilt-in part 11 between the two outlets 6 and 10.

FIG. 8 shows the case in which a rotationally symmetrical rotarymovement of the liquid occurs in two axial pipes 6 and 6b. To this end,the shell surface of the swirl chamber walling 4 is designed accordinglyand a double symmetrical built-in part 13 is made.

An illustration similar to FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 9, only thetangential inlet 9 is of narrowing or tapering design. As a result ofthis, the flow speed can be increased to an extent necessary forproducing swirl.

The embodiment in FIG. 1, i.e. that with a smooth cylinder, can bedeveloped in such a manner that, instead of the smooth upper cylindricalsurface, the cylinder is rounded off at the top in a hemispherical,parabolic or conical shape, and the embodiment according to FIG. 1 canalso be provided with an axially parallel bore.

In any case, a pressure redistribution, a guiding and stabilization ofthe flow and of the vortex core are ensured.

The surface of the built-in element will be smooth every time.

The cone also can have a rounded-off cone head, a parabolicallyrounded-off cone head, a truncated cone or a rounded-off truncated cone.

It is surprising that, by small movements for adjusting the built-inelement, whether it is in the vertical direction or in the form of aneccentric, horizontal movement, the flow straightening can be influencedto such a great extent.

I claim:
 1. Method, in which a tangential incoming pipe flow underpressure is imparted a spiral movement and subsequently an axial pipeflow is obtained, the incoming flow, characterized in that, to achievevirtually any spiral movement distributed over the cross-section, theincoming flow is diverted or branched, by the outgoing axial flow, whichleaves, through an axial pipe, perpendicularly to the tangentialincoming flow, being brought about from the latter by directing theflow, and in that a flowthrough area for the flow is tapered in thedirection of the axial flow and, in a region where swirl is applied, theflow is guided around a built-in flow guide and straightener which isadjustable with regard to the eccentricity in relation to a swirlchamber axis.
 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the uniformity ornon-uniformity of the axial outgoing flow is controlled by the built-inflow guide.
 3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the spiral movementis set, in particular rotationally symmetrically, with the aid of thebuilt-in flow guide.
 4. Method according to claim 2, wherein the spiralmovement is set, in particular rotationally symmetrically, with the aidof the built-in flow guide.
 5. Method according to claim 2, wherein thepressure of the flow is redistributed in such a manner that the flow anda vortex core are stabilized with a centricity or eccentricity, whichcan be set as required, in relation to the axis of the axial pipe, andin that the pressure redistribution is brought about independently. 6.Method according to claim 3, wherein the pressure of the flow isredistributed in such a manner that the flow and the vortex core arestabilized with a centricity or eccentricity, which can be set asrequired, in relation to the axis of the axial pipe, and in that thepressure redistribution is brought about independently.
 7. Methodaccording to claim 5, wherein the pressure redistribution takes place byinclination of the tapered flowthrough area.
 8. Device for diversion orbranching of a pipe flow under pressure comprising a height-adjustablebuilt-in part; a swirl chamber having a shell surface which tapers froma base region having at least one tangential inlet to at least one axialoutlet of the flow with the height-adjustable built-in part positionedwithin the swirl chamber, whereby in that, for simultaneous action withvirtually any spiral movement distributed over the cross-section and forcontrolling the pressure distribution in the swirl flow and thus in theat least one axial outlet opening, the built-in part is inserted intothe swirl chamber and the built-in part is axially adjustably arrangedsubstantially centrally to an axis of the swirl chamber and theadjustable built-in part is adjustable for arranging with a definedeccentricity in relation to the swirl chamber axis thereby causingcontrol of the uniformity or non-uniformity of the axial outgoing flow.9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the built-in part inserted intothe swirl chamber is of volumetric shape selected from the group ofvolumetric shapes consisting of; parabolical, conical, cylindrical,polygonal shape and combinations of parabolical, conical, cylindricaland polygonal shapes, the built-in part is axially adjustably arrangedsubstantially centrally to an axis of the swirl chamber and isadjustable for arranging with a defined eccentricity from the swirlchamber axis.
 10. Device according to claim 9 further comprising twoaxial outlets (6, 10) arranged in the swirl chamber for dividing theincoming flow into two opposite flows.
 11. Device according to claim 10,wherein the swirl chamber is of double symmetrical design (FIG. 8) fordividing the incoming flow into two flows in opposite directions. 12.Device according to claim 10, wherein the tangential inlet tapers to theswirl chamber.
 13. Device according to claim 9, wherein the tangentialinlet (9) tapers to the swirl chamber.
 14. Device according to claim 9,wherein the swirl chamber base has a shape which is non-circular andthus also the swirl chamber shell surface is correspondingly of a shapewhich is corresponding and non-conical.
 15. Device according to claim 9,wherein the built-in part is closed off at the top with a spherical,parabolic, conical cap.
 16. Device according to claim 9, wherein thebuilt-in part further comprises an axially directed bore therethroughsubstantially parallel to the swirl chamber axis.
 17. Device accordingto claim 8, further comprising two axial outlets (6, 10) arranged in theswirl chamber for dividing the incoming flow into two opposite flows.18. Device according to claim 17, wherein the swirl chamber is of doublesymmetrical design (FIG. 8) for dividing the incoming flow into twoflows in opposite directions.
 19. Device according to claim 17, whereinthe tangential inlet (9) tapers to the swirl chamber.
 20. Deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the tangential inlet (9) tapers to theswirl chamber.
 21. Device according to claim 8, wherein the tangentialand the axial outlet opening are of different sizes.
 22. Deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein at least one of the outlet openings isdesigned as an axial pipe piece which is widened in a diffuser-likemanner.